As with all aspects of construction, for a timber floor to stand up to the test of time it is critical that it has been correctly installed. There are a number of elements to consider, from using the correct glues to bond the floor down (cheap glues can go brittle and come apart from the sub-floor resulting in planks lifting), where to start installing to avoid unequal plank widths along the edge of the room, ensuring the underside of door frames are cut to the correct depth so a plank can be slid under opposed to cut around leaving unsightly gaps that require filling, grading of each piece to achieve an acceptable blend of colour/shade variation, grain matching when installing an inlaid socket box – the list goes on.
The sub-floor is an integral part of the installation and care must be taken in its preparation. Click here for sub-floor & atmospheric condition requirements.
It is vital that your newly installed Root floor is properly protected during installation. We recommend a layer of heavy duty builders paper, loose laid up to the perimeter walls, then masking tape to the joints and around perimeters. This is followed by a layer of 4mm hardboard, again with masking tape to the joints. Masking tape must NOT come into contact with the flooring. If any adhesive comes in contact with the wood, please do NOT try and clean it off, instead contact Root for a resolution. If your installer is planning on protecting the floor differently to the above, please consult Root.
All Root floors are engineered for use over underfloor heating. It is strongly advised that the flooring is glued to the sub-floor opposed to “floated”, maximising the floors thermal conductivity and efficiency. A timber floor, engineered or solid, will retain a level of moisture from the environment. It is this moisture that dictates how much a floor will expand and contract. The wider & longer the board, the more moisture that will be retained and the higher the risk of movement. When introducing underfloor heating, a solid or poorly engineered timber floor will be most susceptible to failing. A Root timber floor, engineered using its benchmark three layer construction, provides a balanced & stable floor capable of withstanding the kind of challenges faced when using underfloor heating.
All Root floors are supplied pre-finished, either with a natural oil or coloured varnish. A floor finished to the highest standards using natural oils & coloured varnishes, properly maintained using the correct pH neutral soap, will last a lifetime.
